Gone with the Wind

by Margaret Mitchell

“Miss O’Hara—I must tell you something. I—I love you!” “Um?” said Scarlett absently, trying to peer through the crowd

This made me giggle

On the occasion of our first eventful meeting I thought to myself that I had at last met a girl who was not only beautiful but who had courage. And now I see that you are only beautiful.”

Ooh burn

I told you once before that there were two times for making big money, one in the up-building of a country and the other in its destruction. Slow money on the up-building, fast money in the crack-up. Remember my words. Perhaps they may be of use to you some day.”

“Whatever are you trying to do to me?” “I’m tempting you with fine gifts until your girlish ideals are quite worn away and you are at my mercy,” he said. “‘Accept only candy and flowers from gentlemen, dearie,’” he mimicked, and she burst into a giggle.

“I love you, Scarlett, because we are so much alike, renegades, both of us, dear, and selfish rascals. Neither of us cares a rap if the whole world goes to pot, so long as we are safe and comfortable.”

This was the end of the road, quivering old age, sickness, hungry mouths, helpless hands plucking at her skirts. And at the end of this road, there was nothing—nothing but Scarlett O’Hara Hamilton, nineteen years old, a widow with a little child.

he had never known such gallantry as the gallantry of Scarlett O’Hara going forth to conquer the world in her mother’s velvet curtains and the tail feathers of a rooster.

Even though they’re poor, they still feel like ladies and I don’t. The silly fools don’t seem to realize that you can’t be a lady without money!”

Why, why, her mind stuttered, I believe women could manage everything in the world without men’s help—except having babies, and God knows, no woman in her right mind would have babies if she could help it.

Always remember this, Scarlett, I can stand anything from you but a lie—your dislike for me, your tempers, all your vixenish ways, but not a lie.

She was darkness and he was darkness and there had never been anything before this time, only darkness and his lips upon her.

He drew a short breath and said lightly but softly: “My dear, I don’t give a damn.”